Joe Maddon Explodes, Ejects Entire Umpire Crew (Video)

Times have been tough for the Tamp Bay Rays through the opening two weeks of the 2011 MLB season. After a successful 2010 campaign that saw them win 96 games before losing in the ALDS to the eventual American League champion Texas Rangers, expectations were high heading into this season, but the Rays have managed to pick up only one win in their opening nine games.

Things appeared to reach a boiling point during yesterday’s game against the White Sox, as manager Joe Maddon erupted after the Rays Dan Johnson was called out on a play at first base. Johnson had initially been ruled safe after Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd dropped the ball, but a meeting with Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen was enough to influence the umpires to reverse the call.

That ruling sent Maddon into a frenzy, as he ejected each member of the umpiring crew. However, in the end, Maddon would be the only one to actually get ejected.